1
as in curious
interested in what is not one's own business
as we moved into our new home, we could sense that there were prying eyes watching us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
prying neighbors who refuse to mind their own business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in questioning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pulling
to raise, move, or pull apart with or as if with a lever
it took some effort to pry up the trap door
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in yanking
to draw out by force or with effort
a vain attempt to pry the cork out of a wine bottle
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as in interfering
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
don't go prying into other people's business
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prying
Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying — and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
The Google Nest Hub (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great smart display with no camera (and therefore no risk of unwanted prying eyes).
—Brenda Stolyar and Medea Giordano, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2022
To my mind, however, there’s a difference between a Google or a Facebook, which provide valuable services in return for their prying eyes, and an app that serves a single, ostensibly benign purpose — parking validation.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2021
Carry two phones While anti-spy software may be effective in staving off the prying eyes of the Chinese government, not everyone knows how to install it.
—Jane Li, Quartz, 6 Aug. 2019
Its purpose: to train librarians to implement secure protocols on their own web services, and to teach members of the community to evade the prying eyes of governments, corporations, and criminal hackers.
—Eoin O'Carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Oct. 2017
One reason Russians have loaded up on passports is that Cypriot citizenship helps them avoid the prying eyes of their government and pay lower taxes.
—Yalman Onaran, Bloomberg.com, 11 May 2017
Adjective
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying -- and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.
—Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, oregonlive, 4 Feb. 2023
But inquiring into the specifics of familial dynamics is impudent and prying — and a line of questioning that most people would be happy to avoid answering themselves.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023
The Google Nest Hub (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great smart display with no camera (and therefore no risk of unwanted prying eyes).
—Brenda Stolyar and Medea Giordano, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2022
To my mind, however, there’s a difference between a Google or a Facebook, which provide valuable services in return for their prying eyes, and an app that serves a single, ostensibly benign purpose — parking validation.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2021
Carry two phones While anti-spy software may be effective in staving off the prying eyes of the Chinese government, not everyone knows how to install it.
—Jane Li, Quartz, 6 Aug. 2019
Its purpose: to train librarians to implement secure protocols on their own web services, and to teach members of the community to evade the prying eyes of governments, corporations, and criminal hackers.
—Eoin O'Carroll, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Oct. 2017
One reason Russians have loaded up on passports is that Cypriot citizenship helps them avoid the prying eyes of their government and pay lower taxes.
—Yalman Onaran, Bloomberg.com, 11 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prying
Adjective
-
It’s known as Norway’s ‘summer city,’ yet Kristiansand has a lot to offer the curious traveler year-round—even when the famed beaches are sprinkled with snow.—
David Nikel,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
-
According to the New York Times, in a curious move, the latter house reportedly enlisted mega-gallery Pace to charm Louise Riggio, although Sotheby’s and Pace have so far declined to comment.—
George Nelson for ArtNews,
Robb Report,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
On the music side, Lil Boat hasn’t been too busy yet in 2025.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Understand Barcelona Cruise Port Barcelona’s cruise terminal is one of the busiest in the world, serving as a major gateway for Mediterranean itineraries.—
David Nikel,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
After the detainment and questioning of more than 40 U.S. citizens produce no solid leads and a second, smaller cyberattack on a consumer bank leaves the nation in turmoil, George appears to be losing control of the investigation — and the country is losing its faith in him.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
22 Feb. 2025
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Offering a rare look at all the backdoor lobbying, moral questioning and endless waiting involved in an affair that lasted for nearly two months, director Brandon Kramer does an impressive job revealing the personal and geopolitical aspects of a heartbreaking true story.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Pete was a gentle spirit, creative, inquisitive, and reflective.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Elsewhere, inquisitive faces loom up from hazy backgrounds; a straight fringe frames a determined expression.—
Michael Bracewell,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
There was the feeling that this was for revenge, not arrest or interrogation, because there was nothing even according to all their racist laws to charge me with.—
Kyle Buchanan,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The fact that a person is allowed to write a falsehood and take down an entire community with nary a hint of interrogation is damaging.—
David John Chávez,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Child Safeguarding & Ethical Standards The letters of complaint disregard core safeguarding principles by demanding intrusive scrutiny of Abdullah’s background.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Lower Learning Curve Learning to use AI is significantly easier, less intimidating and less intrusive when employees are already familiar with the tasks.—
Hunter Steele,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Despite public pressure, including from the families of the roughly 1,200 people killed in the Oct. 7 attack and the 251 taken as hostages into Gaza, Netanyahu has resisted calls for a commission of inquiry.—
MOHAMMAD JAHJOUH, WAFAA SHURAFA, NATALIE MELZER AND TIA GOLDENBERG THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
arkansasonline.com,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Netanyahu has resisted forming a commission of inquiry.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
From the outside looking in, nosy folks sight couples who scored a seat on the river-facing side—and in real time, perhaps, all falling more in love with each other.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Dec. 2024
-
At times, the conversation might widen even further to one nosy tía’s opinions about the bodies of celebrities she’s never met.—
Ella Cerón,
Allure,
6 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Prying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prying. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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